Driving in China vs. Malta: Essential Safety Tips
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and driving customs between China and Malta. Key distinctions include the driving side—right in China versus left in Malta—and varying speed limits. Understanding these nuances is vital for ensuring safety and a smooth experience while navigating the roads in these diverse nations.
Lanes
| China | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Marks the left edge on some divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Often used to indicate parking restrictions. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Yes |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3] | Railroad crossings | Pedestrian crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane if possible. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. | Shared use with caution, marked on roads. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
china:
Right
malta:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
Overtaking: On Left
china:
Yes
malta:
No
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
malta:
Yes
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
malta:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
malta:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
malta:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
malta:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
malta:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
malta:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
malta:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
malta:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
malta:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
china:
30 km/h
malta:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
malta:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
malta:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| China | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in Malta |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese; symbols also used | English and Maltese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
china:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
malta:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
malta:
Not used in Malta
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
malta:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
Turns
| China | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
malta:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| China | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid Chinese driver's license required | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required for short visits | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
malta:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
malta:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
malta:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| China | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
malta:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
malta:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
malta:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
malta:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
malta:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight ahead | Use for first exit or straight |
Signaling: Exiting
china:
Signal right when preparing to exit
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
malta:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 112 for emergencies |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
malta:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
malta:
112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| China | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | Typically around €50, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
china:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay